Lá Fhéile Pádraig

Some Important Information for the Non-Irish

Hey, belles & beaus!

It’s finally Fri-Yay! Which means we are less than 24 hours until my second favorite holiday of the year, Saint Patrick’s Day or Lá Fhéile Pádraig in gaelic. *tosses confetti*

Now, for those of you who think we celebrate this as the day that St. Patrick chased all the snakes out of Ireland. Shame on you. Do some research! Seriously, it’s not that hard to google “Why do the Irish celebrate St. Patrick’s Day”.

But for those who have stumbled here instead of on google, let tell you a true story. The Irish celebrate this wonderful day in honor of one of their patron saints, Saint Patrick. Now the reason for the snake comments is because he was a minister of Christianity in Ireland. And who appears in the book of Genesis as a snake? The devil himself, Lucifer Morningstar. So I guess you could say he chased the snakes out of Ireland but figuratively, not literally.

The Irish believe that he passed on March 17 in or around the year 493. Ireland natives sometimes pilgrim to St. Patrick’s Purgatory, where it was said that he had a vision that promised anyone who came to the sanctuary in penitence and faith would receive a pardon for their sins.

Saint Patrick was actually raised in Roman controlled Britain and was captured by raiding Irishmen. He was then taken back to Ireland where he was made a slave. Years later he returned to his family and entered the church like male family members before him. It was after many years in the church that he made the decision to go back to Ireland where he “chased the snakes away.” It is believed by saying this that people refer to the druids or pagan worshippers of the snake or serpent gods. It is believed that he is actually buried under Down Cathedral in Downpatrick, Ireland.

However, St. Patrick’s death was not truly celebrated by the church until Luke Wadding, a Franciscan scholar, greatly influenced the Catholic Church to make St. Patrick’s death date into a feast day, though the date is moved if it falls during the Holy Week.

So there you go, that is why they celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland. I love my Irish heritage and it is why I wear my green proudly – even though Ireland’s national color is blue.